National CineMedia (NCM) Brings Augmented Reality to Movie Theaters

National CineMedia (NCM), America’s Movie Network, is pioneering interactive augmented reality gaming in theaters this spring with the launch of Noovie ARcade, a companion app to NCM’s Noovie pre-show and Lobby Entertainment Network.

Noovie ARcade is available in the iOS and Android app stores. NCM expects it to be rolled out nationwide this spring on over 20,600 screens in 1,700 top theaters across the country including AMC, Cinemark, Regal Entertainment Group, and 49 other regional and local theater chains just in time for the start of blockbuster season.

To play, audiences only need to download the app and arrive at their local Noovie theater early to catch the Noovie pre-show, which will prompt them to take out their phone when it’s time to play. Then, the big screen and other triggers around the lobby will unlock larger-than-life games enabled by aiming their cell phone. Noovie ARcade is a fun way to compete with friends and other fans in the auditorium and across the country!

Noovie ARcade Games at Launch Will Include:

• Cinevaders – A galactic worm hole opens up and aliens pour out to invade the theater. It’s up to the player to use powerful lasers to protect the earth from certain destruction.
• Emoji Escape – The emojis in your phone have escaped and are wreaking havoc in the theater lobby. Catch them all before the movie starts!
• Munchie Mania – Who doesn’t like popcorn at the movies? Players will toss flying kernels to fill up their individual popcorn bucket – and you can play at home!

Noovie ARcade also creates new integrated cinema marketing opportunities that connect brands with movie audiences, including branded game experience customizations, digital ad inventory and real-time detailed auditorium-level audience data. The Noovie ARcade platform is designed to encompass a variety of game formats, including shooting, catching, tossing and driving games, and advertisers have the unique opportunity to work with NCM to create imaginative branded Noovie ARcade games for the big screen and beyond with select gaming experiences that can be triggered anywhere.

“Noovie was designed around the three pillars of content, commerce and gaming, and I’m very proud to introduce the first in-theater AR gaming experience to the industry,” said Cliff Marks, President of NCM. “Noovie ARcade drives fan engagement and excitement through a unique digital experience, which makes it not only great entertainment for movie audiences, but a great opportunity for brands looking to reach them. Hold on to your popcorn, because the movie experience just got a whole lot better!”